Titanium surgical implants processed by powder metallurgy

Due to their low density coupled with excellent corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties, titanium and titanium alloys have been widely used for surgical implants. They have also a relatively low young's modulus, allowing a good load transfer to the bone. The elastic modulus difference between metallic implant material and bone is large, which can lead to a fracture of the implant. To solve this problem, many implants for artificial joint and dental applications have been produced by powder metallurgy routes, obtaining a porous material with an even lower young's modulus than that of the bulk titanium. This porous structure allows bone ingrowth, as the osseous tissue invade the holes of the porous material while growing and adheres to it. Besides, near net shape technologies like powder metallurgy and injection molding techniques, can reduce the components high costs due to machining final steps, also providing a fine, uniform grain structure and lack of texture and segregation. This work outlines the characteristics, properties and some of the powder routes for producing titanium surgical implants and implant porous coatings.